Entry tags:

entitlement, fandom: harry potter, internet lawyers, this is the wank that never ends

Autographed by who?
Previously: WB figures out how to hit print, a restraining order is granted, both RDR and SVA update, Whomping Willows weigh in, a Salon blogger doesn't get it, comments explode.

Today, from auralan: You, too, can contribute to RDR's defense fund.

We will continue to update on our legal defense of author Steve Vander Ark. Because we have agreed to not take new orders until the court makes its decision at a February 8 hearing on the plaintiff's request for an injunction, you can still buy any of our other books. If you have already ordered the Lexicon and would like to have your prepayment refunded simply email us. Otherwise your payment will be held in an escrow account until the court decides if we can ship you the book. RDR Books welcomes your support for our significant legal expenses in this David and Goliath legal battle. You can help us defend the rights of authors like Steve Vander Ark and readers everywhere by buying our other titles on this site or at your favorite bookstore. We also welcome contributions to the RDR Books Lexicon Defense Fund. All contributors will receive a free autographed book from RDR, ideal for Christmas giving.

ETA 2: From immlass, more from Salon: More on why Rowling is wrong on the Potter lexicon.

ETA 3: By legionseagle, via blackflag: Top Ten Hints For Stopping An Awkward Situation Turning Into an Multi-Part Farce.

From lerefuge: Harmony Forever weighs in. The Avada Kedavra satellite referenced: a classic Scott Lynch LJ entry. Note: Early on, when I was casting a wider net and posting a lot of different things because we didn't quite know in what direction things were going to go, I linked to some speculation here that the Lexicon had an anti-Ginny bias. I shouldn't have done that--it didn't have anything to do with the lawsuit. It was wanky and I'm sorry.

From tunxeh: A new thread about the lawsuit on Boing Boing. It's based around the Salon link, by the way.

tez shows up with the Seal of Extreme Fail! Huzzah!

ETA 4: From lucky13: Ars Technica doesn't get it, either.

ETA 5: From auralan: RDR was served, and apparently the recipient (Rapoport?) refused to give his name to the server.

ETA 6: tunxeh: "And now it's on Slashdot. Linked only to the Ars Technica post, which calls the Lexicon a blog and seems to be based on the Salon story. Or maybe Ars Technica is based on Boing Boing's take on the Salon story, I can't tell any more."

ETA 7: From auralan: RDR updates again. "The irony of an author suing a librarian has not been lost on many commentators including one attorney who told us: 'If the world's first libraries opened this year, I seriously wonder if there might be lawyers at the front door trying to stop reference books of all kinds from going up on the shelves.'"

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auralan
2007-11-15 11:30 pm UTC (link)

My change detection robot says that RDR Books' main page has been updated. I'm not entirely sure what all the changes are, but it seems like more of the usual wankery and some additional links to RDR-friendly media reports.

The ~~lawyers~~ ~~law professors~~ ~~librarians~~ lurkers support him in email:

As far as I can tell, there are still no instructions on how to donate to the legal defense fund.

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auralan
2007-11-15 11:38 pm UTC (link)

I also need to cry at this line (emphasis mine):

to make sure that they realize

That's a whole lot of missing the point right there. Why has the cousin not told him to shut up by now? Duct tape is cheap. Contempt of

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	major_fischer 2007-11-16 05:13 pm UTC (link)
	When do you expect their website antics to get to the point where they become the subject of a filing by Warners? At least as far as I can see, they've violated the last court order like Woah! (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	auralan 2007-11-16 05:38 pm UTC (link)
	This feels like the handing them rope stage. Since RDR Books is still gladly taking the rope and making nooses, it could take some time before the lawyers get bored with hitting that newly found print button. My best guess is once RDR has something set up to accept money for their legal defense fund or when their motions are due on January 7, whichever comes first. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	the_sun_is_up 2007-11-16 01:02 am UTC (link)
	I'm suddenly overcome by the urge to smack a bitch. And I'm getting tired of the "she's going after the librarians oh noes those poor persecuted holy librarians" schtick. SVA doesn't get his very own get out of jail free card just because he's a librarian. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	miss_eponine 2007-11-16 01:54 am UTC (link)
	STOP IT! Smart librarians know the freaking difference between reference books and copyright infringing desperate grabs to cash in on interwebs fame for money and glory. Stop using the fact that SVA is a librarian to pretend that all librarians don't know the first thing about this crap. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	hoopa 2007-11-16 03:38 am UTC (link)
	But... Jo IS an author. Just because she's a good author doesn't mean she should lose the rights to her creation. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	huehau 2007-11-16 06:02 am UTC (link)
	Obviously she should lose the rights to her creation because she's made more than enough money off of Harry Potter. It's time for her to spread the wealth! At least that's what a lot of the pro-SVA/RDR people seem to be saying to me. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	miraba 2007-11-16 05:21 am UTC (link)
	It's getting more tempting by the update to start screaming expletives. (Reply to this)(Parent)

huehau
2007-11-16 06:05 am UTC (link)

Perhaps the most disturbing response to this case has come from other authors of reference books who admit that they are not frightened that similar reference books that simply include discussion of Rowling's work could themselves become the subject of similar legal action.

I can't decide whether that "not" should be "now" or if RDR is trying to be tricky and make people think that other publishers are on their side when they really aren't.

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	vzg 2007-11-16 08:18 am UTC (link)
	It sound almost like "But how could you guys not support us? WE'RE RIIIGHT. We're trying to associate ourselves with you — stop pulling away! Stop! Come baaack!" (Reply to this)(Parent)

	kazaera 2007-11-16 12:47 pm UTC (link)
	Now it reads Perhaps the most disturbing response has come from other authors working on similar kinds of reference books who now feel their work could also be threatened by deep pocket litigants. Pity. I liked the other version better. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	cmdr_zoom 2007-11-17 01:09 am UTC (link)
	Me too. But they fail to note that if others are now feeling threatened, it's because this clueless entitled asshat won't stop poking the tiger and is going to call down zero-tolerance lawyerly DOOOOOM on everyone. But it's All Worth It if SVA's precious work of scholarship gets published, despite that meanie ex-BFF JKR snubbing him. (Reply to this)(Parent)

	midnitemarauder 2007-11-16 06:44 am UTC (link)
	who could have ever predicted the present suit against a librarian/scholar like Steve Vander Ark ARGH! The suit isn't against Steve, you morons, it's against YOU. I know they're not versed in law, but holy shit - how hard is it to read the names listed under "Defendants"?!? (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	dragonfangirl 2007-11-16 11:31 am UTC (link)
	But their real names aren't there, just unnamed Does, so it doesn't count!! (Reply to this)(Parent)

	serai 2007-11-17 02:08 am UTC (link)
	who could have ever predicted the present suit against a librarian/scholar like Steve Vander Ark. Who could ever have predicted he'd get sued for attempting to publish a book like this without prior permission from the holder of the relevant copyrights? looks around Me, for one. Anyone else? (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	athersgeo 2007-11-17 04:15 pm UTC (link)
	raises a hand Me too (Reply to this)(Parent)

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